15 Military Friendly Colleges in Wisconsin

1University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
2200 E Kenwood Blvd | Milwaukee, WI 53211

The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (UWM) stands out as the first military-friendly college in Wisconsin, with over 600 students benefiting from GI Bill benefits. UWM takes pride in fostering a dynamic and diverse campus community, comprising over 1,000 veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. The university offers various avenues for involvement, including a Student Veterans of America (SVA) chapter, a Military and Veterans Resource Center, participation in Veterans Upward Bound, and an annual Military and Veterans Ball.

As part of its commitment, UWM participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, providing support to 9 undergrad students with up to $7,697.61 each per year and 3 graduate students with up to $9,349.50.

Veterans at UWM enjoy eligibility for transfer credit based on their military training. The institution maintains an impressive 90% retention rate for full-time students receiving military benefits, with a 50% rate for part-time students.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $7,278
Grad: $9,830

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 363
Grad: 54

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 90%
Part Time: 50%

2 University of Wisconsin-Madison
500 Lincoln Dr | Madison, WI 53706

The University of Wisconsin Madison (WISC) is committed to nurturing personal and academic success for military students. The Veteran Services and Military Help Center (VSMAC) serves as a valuable resource, and UW-Madison actively participates in the Peer Advisors for Veteran Education (PAVE) program—a peer support initiative for incoming undergraduate student veterans.

UW-Madison extends support through the Yellow Ribbon Program, providing an unlimited annual contribution to 50 undergraduate students, as well as 8 graduate students, 2 law students, and 1 pharmacy student.

Veterans enrolled at UW-Madison can leverage transfer credits based on their military training. The institution maintains an impressive 88% retention rate for full-time students receiving military benefits.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,800
Grad: $14,229

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 289
Grad: 113

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 88%
Part Time: N/A

3Marquette University
1250 W Wisconsin Ave | Milwaukee, WI 53233

Marquette University is another military friendly college in Wisconsin. They have a recognized student veteran organization. Marquette Central is the primary campus resource for help with state and federal veterans’ education benefits.

WVWC participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers an unlimited number of undergrad students up to $9,436.61 each, per year. Also, 10 grad students at the Graduate School can get up to $1,000 per year. At the School of Management, 3 grad students can get up to $1,000 per year. The Health Sciences Professional division offers 1 graduate student up to $1,500 per year.  At the School of Dentistry, 3 doctoral students could get up to $8500 per year. Up to 7 doctoral students at the School of Law may get a max of $11,536.61 per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 100%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $19,993
Grad: $13,452

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 53
Grad: 37

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 90%
Part Time: 100%

4University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
2100 Main St | Stevens Point, WI 54481

University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (UWSP) participates in the Veterans on Campus program for all faculty and staff.

UWSP participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 12 undergrad and grad students an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 75%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,677
Grad: $7,384

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 128
Grad: 13

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 75%
Part Time: N/A

5 University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
800 Algoma Blvd | Oshkosh, WI 54901

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UWO) strives to empower veterans, service members, military spouses, and dependents. It offers helpful tools and resources. Like, the Veterans Resource Center. Here, military connected student on all three campuses of UW Oshkosh may find support.

UWO participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 7 undergrad students an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 74%. And, the rate for part time students is 71%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,909
Grad: $7,245

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 168
Grad: 18

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 74%
Part Time: 71%

6 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
800 W Main St | Whitewater, WI 53190

University of Wisconsin Whitewater (UWW) has a Veterans and Service Members Organization. This is a student-run campus group and could be a great way to get involved. Plus, stop by the UWW Veterans and Service Members Lounge. This is a place for military connected students to study and socialize.

UW-Whitewater participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 10 undergrad students up to $10,000 each, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 65%. And, the rate for part time students is 67%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $7,472
Grad: $6,416

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 61
Grad: 105

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 65%
Part Time: 67%

7 University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
2420 Nicolet Dr | Green Bay, WI 54311

University of Wisconsin Green Bay (UWGB) has a dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military service members, and their families. And, UW-Green Bay’s Student Organization Vets 4 Vets plays a key role. It helps both veterans on campus and service members currently serving overseas.

UWGB participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 10 students an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 88%. And, the rate for part time students is 50%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $7,077
Grad: $8,906

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 162
Grad: 11

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 88%
Part Time: 50%

8 Concordia University-Wisconsin
12800 N Lake Shore Dr | Mequon, WI 35294

Concordia University Wisconsin (CUW) is home to the first college American Legion post in the state, post 1881.

CUW participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers an unlimited number of undergrad and graduate students an unlimited max contribution per year. That includes grad students at the School of Business Administration, School of Education, and School of Nursing.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for part time students who get military benefits is 83%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $10,596
Grad: $9,741

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 53
Grad: 15

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: N/A
Part Time: 83%

9 University of Wisconsin-Parkside
900 Wood Rd, Kenosha, Wisconsin 53144

UW Parkside offers a team of designated veteran liaisons from various campus offices and departments to serve as a resource to you. You could find this helpful as you navigate VA education benefits. The school also provides easy transfer of military credits to qualifying students.

Because it is a small campus, class sizes are small. As a result, you may find it easier to shift into college life.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $5,727
Grad: $5,924

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 88
Grad: 29

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 82%
Part Time: 100%

10 Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

2740 W Mason St, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54307-9042

At NWTC, military connected students could receive priority registration and college credit for your service. The school also provides you access to a private lounge, and help from dedicated staff. The lounge is in the Veterans Resource Center which is a go to for help with educational benefits, services, and community resources.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $2,474
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 305
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 100%
Part Time: </strong72%

11 University of Wisconsin-Stout
712 S Broadway St | Menomonie, WI 54751

University of Wisconsin Stout (UW-STOUT) values the unique skill sets that vets bring to the classroom. And, the Military and Veteran Resource Center (MVRC) offers a dedicated space for veterans, service members, and their families. Don’t forget to join the UW-Stout Veterans Club!

UW-Stout participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 10 students an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 85%. And, the rate for part time students is 67%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,724
Grad: $5,147

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 127
Grad: 20

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 85%
Part Time: 67%

12 Fox Valley Technical College
1825 N Bluemound Dr, Appleton, Wisconsin 54912-2277

Fox Valley staff helps students with Veteran education benefits and serves as a liaison between students and various federal, state and local agencies.

The school was recently in the news as they received a grant of almost $100,000. It is for a program called The Innovation Accelerator. The goal is to guide veterans who want to start their own businesses.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $3,363
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 238
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 74%
Part Time: 58%

13 Milwaukee Area Technical College
700 W State St, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233-1443

Milwaukee Area Technical College has a one stop shop Veterans Resource Center. If you are a veteran, currently serving in the military, or are a dependent/spouse receiving benefits and you’d like to meet other veteran students this is the place to go. It is also the spot you could access veteran support group and networking, as well as a quiet study space.

Veterans’ GI Bill recipients may use their Veterans Administration (VA) benefits to pay for MATC college expenses. MATC’s Military Education Support office is available to help you make a smooth transition into a college program using such benefits.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $2,540
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 307
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 58%
Part Time: 49%

14 University of Wisconsin-River Falls

410 S 3rd St, River Falls, Wisconsin 54022-5001

University of Wisconsin River Falls veteran’s services office is staffed by veterans for veterans.

Their goal is to ensure student veterans, reservists, National Guard, active duty and family members receive university support. As a result, the office is the place to go for help once you’ve requested educational benefits.

Another service the office provides is to be informative. You could use it to see what campus, federal and state resources may be available to you. One of these resources is the UW-River Falls veterans club.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,794
Grad: $12,742

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 89
Grad: 6

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 74%
Part Time: 48%

15 Lakeland University
W 3718 South Dr | Plymouth, WI 53073

Lakeland University is the last military friendly college in Wisconsin on our list. They are dedicated to serving students who get military benefits. It can help students navigate benefits during enrollment.

Plus, Lakeland participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers an unlimited number of students an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 60%. And, the rate for part time students is 100%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $11,334
Grad: $6,660

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 18
Grad: 16

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 60%
Part Time: 100%